quick facts on the drinking ticket 2009 2010 On campus drinking violations 473 520 Residence hall drinking violations 418 487 Statistics for 2071 will be released in October 2012. 47 1 DRINKING TICKETS
BREAKING GROUND (EIU House 2.0' begins long journey On Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012, Eastern's Habitat for Humanity campus chapter and the Coles County Habitat for Humanity broke ground on a new house called EfU House 2.0. The new homeowner, Renee Anthony, chose 1414 Jackson Ave. as the site of her new home. "The families can build anywhere in Coles County and we try to accommodate them," said Roy Lanham, Eastern Habitat for Humanity campus chapter adviser. The groundbreaking ceremony is the first public event between the family and the community. "Groundbreaking is a celebration of Renee Anthony receiving her new home and to bless everyone who will be working on the house building process," said Jennifer Gerardi, a senior elementary education major. Groundbreaking is the first step in the building process. "After the groundbreaking, the foundation will be put in and the rest of the building will begin," said Gerardi, campus chapter president. Lanham said sometimes after groundbreaking no building could happen for a couple months due to the weather. "We want to make sure that if the weather is less than cooperative in March we can 481 STUDENT LIFE still work," Lanham said. March is when the major building will begin with a blitz build day on Saturday, March 10, 2012, followed by a blitz build week during Spring Break. "l am staying for Spring Break because this is something that doesn't happen often and it is going to be a great experience," said Stephany Fonseca, a freshman applied engineering and technology major. The last time the campus chapter sponsored a build with Coles County was 1999. To sponsor a house the campus chapter needed to raise $32,000, which is haJf the mortgage. "A big challenge has been raising the $32,000," Gerardi said. "Thanks to Charleston High School hosting Shantytown for us every year, we are able to raise money this amount of money for our affiliate." EIU House 2.0 will continue to be built every Saturday throughout the rest of the semester and the campus chapter will continue to fundraise for a future build. "Habitat for Humanity is not just concerned about putting up houses," Lanham said. "They are concerned about transforming lives, houses become the bonus." STORY I BETII STEELE Renee Anthony and her son Alex stand in the center of the groundbreaking for EIU House 2.0. PHOTO I DANNY DAMIANI Roy Lanham, Habitat for Humanity adviser, holds a ribbon representing the roof of the people house during EIU House 2.0 groundbreaking. PHOTO I DANNY DAMIANI
Renee Anthony, the recipient of Habitat for Humanity's EIU House 2.0, stands in the center of the people house created by panicipants at the end of the groundbreaking ceremony Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012, atl414 Jackson Ave. PHOTO I DANNY DAMIANI 49 1 HABITAT
HOMECOMING It's time to PARTY Students celebrate Homecoming with beer, beer and more beer SO I STUDENT LIFE It may be nearly impossible to wake up for a class at 8 a.m., but waking up for a keg at 8 a.m. is the perfect reason for anyone to be up early. When it comes to Homecoming there is one thing that is on students' minds: kegs. The parade is a popular time to crowd the streets and drink beer while jumping for some candy from the passing floats. Ethan Wolff, manager at East Side Liquor, sees a major increase in kegs purchased for Homecoming Weekend. "For Homecoming, we order a whole extra Miller Light trailer," Wolff said. "It has between 50 and 75 kegs in it." Chris Green, a senior communication studies major, said he and his roommates throw big parties a lot. They prefer buying kegs, and they purchased many for the Saturday of Homecoming. "We bought eight kegs for the day, and tapped them around 11 a.m.," Green said. "All the beer was gone by 5 p.m." Throughout the day, liquor stores in town seemed to be a popular destination for students. Whether it is purchasing a keg, or just a case of beer, the liquor stores around campus see anincrease in sales. "It is nice to see people come in and out of the store, especially when they are alumni," a Panther Liquors employee said. "Everyone is just enjoying themselves." The liquor stores did not disclose the amount of kegs sold on Homecoming weekend. "The parade is all about the party," Green said. "Homecoming is just another excuse to get crazy." Left I Dave Hopkins, a junior geography major, stands behind a temporary fence set up in front of two houses on Seventh Street and watches the Homecoming Parade Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011. Center I Kevin Miller, a senior managmem major, snatches beads from Taylor Davis, a junior communication studies major, after the beads were thrown from the Homecoming Parade. Right I Juniors, Sarah Naples, an elementary education major (left); Dani Grochocinski, an enviommental biology major; Brittany Baker, a sociology major; Melissa Sloter, a marketing major; and Erica Alsup, a psychology major, watch the Homecoming Parade from the roof of a house on Seventh Street. PHOTOS I DANNY DAMIANI
HOMECOMING PANTHERPRIDE Students show their pride at parade, Yell Like Hell and coronation
Thp 1 Jennifer Vogt, a sophomore special education major, places crosses on the Srudents for Life float before the Homecoming Parade Sarurrlay, Oct. 22, 2011. Parade serup began at 6 a.m. along Seventh and Ninth streets with the parade staning at 9:30 a.m. PHOTO I DANNY DAMIANl Center I A member of Alpha Phi holds a sign during her sororitiy's performance in the "Yell Like Hell" competition on Friday, Oct. 21, 2011, in McAfee Gym. PHOTO I DANNY DAMIANI Bottom I Beth Kirts, a sophomore communication disorders and sciences major, cheers along with her teammates, members of the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority and Sigma Chi fraternity, at the homecoming "Yell Like HeU'' competition. PHOTO I OLIVIA ANGELOFF Above I Alpha Gamma Delta and Sigma Chi's mascot, Jessica Shepherd, a sophomore special education major, runs around McAfee gymnasium at the ''Yell Like Hell" competition on Friday, Oct. 21, 2011. PHOTO IOLIVIAANGELOFF 531 HOMECOMING
541 STUDENT LIFE NEW IN CHARLESTON Beverly Herr, general manager and the drink and menu designer of Dirty's Bar & Grill, mixes one of her newest drinks, the Mint Chip Hopper, for a customer Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, at the restaurant. Dirty's offers more than 20 versions of a martini in addition 10 other beverages. PHOTO I KIMBERLY FOSTER DIRTY'S New restaurant offers 'a little taste of home' with fresh food, martinis Dirty's Bar & Grill is new restaurant operating from the location that used to house Georgie Boys, on the corner of Lincoln Avenue and Seventh Street. It opened around Halloween, featuring burgers, chicken and homemade martinis. Beverly Herr, general manager, made the food and drink menu off her life experiences. "It's a little taste of home, a Chicago trendy scene, and the presentation is all there," Herr said. "We are portraying to everyone and hope everyone enjoys it." One of Dirty's most popular alcoholic drinks is the martini; all of the martinis are made fresh. Most people think they don't like martinis, but that is because they have never had a good one, Herr said. The martini names are based off what the drinks are made of and different things in Herr's life. One martini's name is Beverlini Martini, which is named after Herr. But Dirty's doesn't just be serve martinis, they also have margaritas and other drinks. The restaurant offers nothing but fresh food. The only thing in the freezer is ice cream, Herr said. "Dirty's is an oxymoron; we're anything but dirty," Herr said. "One reason we called it Dirty's was because it makes you wonder what it is." STORY I KRISTIN JORDING
COUNTY MARKET Customers mill through the aisles of the CharlestOn County Market during its grand opening Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012. Vendors from Pepsi, Johnsonville and Caribou Coffee were present to celebrate and offer free samples throughout the opening. The store features an eating area and liquor store. PHOTO I KIMBERLY FOSTER L.A. TAN New tanning salon opens Regardless of the weather outside, when people walk through the doors of L.A. Tan in Charleston they are engulfed by the sweet, coconut smell of summer. This new business, located at 303 Lincoln Ave., has a relaxed and casual environment that still keeps its salon atmosphere, said Cara Ourkin, a senior kinesiology and sports studies major. "I really love working here," Durkin said. The tanning salon opened December 2011 and the ever changing promotions make for a constant flow of customers and a steady work load, Durkin said. Students can get unlimited tanning for $40 to $50 a month, depending on how strong of bed they desire. If they have a membership the cost can be automatically taken out of their account each month and that gives them 25 percent off lotions in the store, Durkin said. Customers can tan at any L.A. Tan with a membership. "I think that is why we will do well," Ourkin said. Among the customers, there are also a good number of male members who enjoy the atmosphere of Charleston's L.A. Tan. "I would say we get about 20 percent guys, just guessing," Durkin said. Most students come to L.A. Tan because of the atmosphere and service. Bre Zelenika, a freshman health studies major, has been a member of L.A. Tan for four years and has been a member of the Charleston L.A. Tan since it opened in December. "They have strong bulbs and are cleaner than most salons in the area," Zelenika said. STORY I BRANDYCE GORDON AND BECCA LEVINE 551 NEW IN CHARLESTON
56 1 STUDENT LIFE NEW BBQ IN TOWN Ron "Pops" Stems, owner of Pop's Barbeque, poses in front of h1s restaurant in Charleston on Friday, Jan. 27, 2012. Stems' restaurant opened Friday, March 18, 2011. PHOTO I OLIVIA ANGELOFF POP'S Home-cooked food offered through small window on Madison Pop's Barbeque is a new restaurant in Charleston. It opened its doors on Friday, March 18, 2011. Pop's offers a variety of home-style food such as pulled pork sandwiches, Italian beef, and ribs. Charleston resident, Ron "Pops" Stems, owns the family-run restaurant. Stems said Pop's separates from the competition because aU of its meat is brought in on a daily basis. Pop's is also unique in the fact that all of its meat is cooked with wood instead of gas. Sterns believes that Pop's fits well in Charleston because he said it is good food at a good price for college students and Charleston residents. The price range starts at a $1.15 for a side and goes to $19 for a full slab of ribs. To go along with the sandwiches Pop's offers baked beans, potato salad, cole slaw and macaroni and cheese. Pop's also delivers and caters events and parties. With just a small window for ordering inside of a tiny area for customers, Pop's has a quaint atmosphere making customers feel like they are getting a home-cooked meal. Pop's is located 302 Madison Ave. STORY I OUVIAANGELOFF
Joe Evans, owner of Smoky's BBQ, demonstrates cutting beef brisket on Wednesday, June 8, 2011, in Smoky's kitchen. Smoky's opened its doors at the end of April and features house smoked beef, pork, turkey and chicken plates, among other homestyle favorites. PHOTO I KAROLINA STRACK SMOKY'S BBQ house offers 'the best cornbread in these parts' On Sunday, May 1, 2011, Smoky's House BBQ opened its doors in Charleston. "Things have been great since we've opened in May, and the community has been very open and accepting of us," said Joe "Smoky" Evans, a Champaign native. Smoky's is a family-owned business. Everything from the barbeque sauce to the meats are homemade and cooked fresh everyday. Nothing is artificially made in the kitchen. The restaurant has a fast, casual setting with a hint of momma's kitchen, feel. Patrons can sit at either tables or booths and each table holds the specialty barbeque sauces. Jamilah Witherspoon, a junior family and consumer sciences major, said she likes Smoky's and enjoys going to the restaurant. "I really like Smoky's. My food is always fresh and always good," Witherspoon said. Since opening, the menu has changed but only slightly. Evans has been monitoring it closely. "I revised the menu to what the community likes to eat," Evans said. "I noticed on days I would have specials or different sides, they would come and order something else." Some menu items include hickory smoked sandwiches, burgers and barbeque dinner plates. Smoky's House BBQ also gives back to the community that has been so open and helpful to them. "We have given money to Charleston High School, and we also help sponsor events through some of Eastern's student groups," Evans said. The most popular meal on the menu is the Muleshoe, which is texas toast, choice of meat, fries, barbeque sauce and cheese. "We have the best corn bread in these parts," Evans said. Smoky's is located at 300 W. Lincoln Ave. STORY IMEGAN JOHNSON 571 NEW IN CHARLESTON
DIVAS take the STAGE EIU Pride donates $700 to SA CIS after Diva Drag Show The crowd went wild and lhe dollar bills went flying as eight divas took over the Grand Ballroom in the M LK Jr. Union on Monday, Nov. 7, 2011. ElU Pride's Diva Drag Show Angels & Divas, a Bad Girls Club inspired themed event, was hosted by queen Ceduxion Carrington, who instructed attendees to keep "arms, legs and other appendages away from lhe performers," unless told olherwise. Lady Gaga and Beyonce songs were common lhroughout the night and queens interacted wilh the audience members during each performance. Nick Niemerg, EIU Pride vice president, said he was glad that so many members of the Eastern community came to the event. "It's great to see a lot of first timers really excited to experience their first drag show on campus," Niemerg said. Jordan Garrett, a sophomore business management major, said she was glad she went to her first drag show. "I'm just going to say wow," Garrett said. Garrett said the queens paired wilh the excitement of the audience made the event come to life. Amaya Mann, one of lhe drag queens, said she has been able to see the numbers grow and see a consistency in those attending the show. "The crowd gets better and better each year," Amaya said. Dondre Keeler, a junior family and consumer sciences major, has been to lhree of lhe Diva Drag Shows and said he liked this year's show lhe best. "Just lhe audience interaction reAurora Lemont-Carrington, performer, crawls her way to an audience member to collect her tip at the Diva Drag Show. PHOTO I OLIVIAANGLEOFF ally hyped up the performers," Keeler said. "It was amazing-the best I've ever seen." Sienna Mann said she performed at Eastern's first drag show. "It's always energetic on a college campus cause people genuinely just want to have fun," Sienna said. Tyler Leasher, a 26-year-old Eastern graduate, said he has continued to attend the event several years after his graduation . "I came down to support the people I know," Leasher said. Leasher said he was glad to see students enjoying the performances of his friends in the show. "At first they are kind of in shock, but as the night goes on lhey get more into it," Leasher said. Amaya said the organization of EIU Pride's drag shows are different from the one's she is used to performing. "A lot of drag shows have Jess girls and you have to keep moving, but this one was more (slow) paced," Amaya said. Calexus Carrington also performed in Eastern's first drag show and said being a queen is about confidence. "You only get one life," Carrington said. "Why spend it worrying about what other people think." Terri Fredrick, the ElU Pride faculty adviser, said the event raised about $1,400. EIU Pride donated $700 to the Sexual Assault Counseling and Information Services, a non-profit agency that has been struggling financial Bonnie Buckley, the executive director of SACIS, said the organization is very grateful for the donation. "Our funding from our state and federal grants that help us operate and pay staff and rent has been really tight in coming in," Buckley said. "So all of our donations and fundraisers at this point are helping us stay open." The money is helping, Buckley said, because SACIS is facing the same difficulties it had last year. "We're working three to four months ahead of getting reimbursed," Buckley said. "It's helping us stay open month to month." STORY I NIKE OGUNBODEDE 591 DIVA DRAG SHOW
Students were seen wearing shorts and flips flops Jan. 15-Jan. 16 when temperatures hit 60degrees. Temperatures on this graph represent actual highs from the period of Jan. 15, 2011-Feb. 15, 2011 compared to Jan. 15, 2012-Feb. 15, 2012. Information provided by wunderground.com Feb. 7 and Feb. 8, 2011 students experienced "snowapocolapse?' Temperatures dropped to 20 degrees, causing ice to cover campus and resulting in two days of canceled school. . 2011 2012 lfL---------------------------~~~~~~-------------- January 15-31 ~) February 1-15 > LNFOGRAPHIC I COLLEEN HARRIGAN 60 I STUDENT LIFE
WAC WEATHER Jet stream to blame for inconsistent temperatures Warm weather hit Charleston on Friday, Jan. 6, 2012, making spring seem right around the comer for Eastern students, but groundhog Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, giving us six more weeks of winter. According to Cameron Craig, a geography and geology professor, the jet stream is to blame. "The jet stream is bonling up the arctic air," Craig said. "And that causes the temperatures here to rise, but later it will get cold." For just a sholl amount of time in the middle of winter, Eastern students were able to get out of their residence halls and see sun shining on the quad. For some, exercising outside was popular. Emily Groves, a sophomore elementary education major, went outside to help reduce sickness. "I finally got to workout," Groves said. "I love to exercise outside, and I got to when it was warm." "Since it has been warmer I have been more willing to walk around campus more, go to the library to study rather than just stay home, run on the panther trail a bit, and visit my friends more that Live across campus from where I do," said Pete Zizzo, a sophomore mathematics major. "I appreciate the warmer weather this year because it makes it a lot easier to get around campus. I do not own a car, so walking outside when it is snowy and icy is horrible." The warm weather brought on a few Eujean Johnson, a freshman undecided major, plays football in the South Quad Wednesday, Feb. I, 2012. Campus was more active because of the weather. PHOTO I DANNY DAMIANJ problems, according to Craig. "There was no hard freeze," he said. "The bugs didn't get controlled ... when it comes to spring we will have a large population of pest to deal with." This phenomenon also causes the vegetation to think that it is spring, which can cause issues with growing when spring really rolls around Craig said. This weird weather that we saw made some happy but there are still the people out that waiting for the "big one," one big snowstorm said Craig because he is one of those people. But for people like Groves, the warm weather could not come back fast enough bring with them easier walks to class and light jackets. "1 wish it was July," said Groves with a laugh. STORY I BRANDYCE GORDON 61JWEATHER
621 STUDENT LIFE Grasping tradition LASO brings awareness to holiday, celebrates culture Halloween and Dia de los Muertos are celebrated at about the same time, but have extreme cultural differences. The Latin American Student Organization celebrated the Mexican holiday to try to keep its culture alive. On Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011, LASO celebrated Dia de los Muertos. Dia de los Muertos translates into "day of the dead," and it is a Mexican holiday where families and friends gather together to remember and pray for loved ones who have died. At the event, students made tissue paper flowers and sugar skulls, which are significant to the holiday. Sugar skulls are decorated with bright colors and used as decorations during the holiday, and colorful flowers are placed at the graves of loved ones in the hope of bringing their spirits back to their families. "I hope these events will educate not only students, but also the community, about Latin American holidays and bring awareness to the group," LASO Secretary Priscilla Gonzalez said. Students also ate and drank cultural foods at the celebration. Atole, a chocolate drink, and pan de muerto, a sweet bread, were both served. They are traditionally consumed at the Mexican holiday. The group tries to be there for each other. This is especially helpful while away from home, LASO President Alex Lima said. The goal of LASO is to help its members academically, socially, create leadership opportunities and to serve the community. But the organization doesn't pride itself on any of these aspects; it prides itself on the closeness and unity of the group. "We support each other," Gonzalez said. We like to goof around with one another, and we talk about problems that are bothering each other." STORY I MELANIE THOMPSON Right I Judith Loza, a junior biology major, decorates a sugar skull at the Dia de los Muenos celebration Wednesday, Nov. 2. 20 II. Above I Joy Raines, a junior clinical lab science major. shows orr her decora1ive sugar skull during the Dia de los Muenos celebration. PHOTOS I JASMINE RANDLE
63 1 LASO
Rushing experience different in spring for houses, recruits In comparison to fall recruitment, spring recruitment has a different set of rules and feelings that go along with it. The process is more laid back than in the fall, and people who are hoping to join only need to go to sororities or fraternities they know they like, which makes the process different. Houses on campus get to choose whether or not they are going to participate in actively planning events that will get them new members for spring. "We chose three parties because we thought that it would be a nice and relaxing way for the potential new members to get to know us," said Lauren Brzezinski, a sophomore elementary education major and Delta Delta Delta president. "Recruitment can be stressful, so we want them to come as they are. So if that means sweats and gym shoes, that's totally fine." Jonathan Boudreau, Sigma Alpha Epsilon recruitment chair, said the group tries to create a relaxed environment for spring to have the men be who they are. "We chose to use bowling, a meet-andgreet, volleyball, football and cards as the events for spring recruitment," said Boudreau, a senior sociology major. The decisions to get new members in the spring can come from many mind sets. Brzezinski said Delta Delta Delta held spring recruitment to strengthen sisterhood with more members who are excited and dedicated. Boudreau said Facebook and word-ofmouth were the ways to get the word out. He said brothers talking to people they knew was a great way to get the word out. "Recruitment is not a job for one or two guys in the fraternity, but rather for every brother to give the extra effort to help expend the brotherhood," Boudreau said. New recruits have their own thoughts on spring recruitment. "I was nervous ... afraid that I wasn't going to get along with anyone," said Margaret Joyce, a freshman business major. Joyce is rushing Alpha Sigma Tau as a spring recruit with Alyssa Carlson, a freshman family and consumer sciences major, and they said they were glad they picked spring recruitment over fall recruitment. "I did not want to rush in the fall because I just got here, and I was not ready yet," Carlson said. Spring recruitment allows students to think about Greek life in a more relaxed atmosphere, and to get a look at the students in the house just a little bit closer. STORY IBRANDYCEGORDON 651 GREEK IN SPRING
Jim Snyder calls the bingo game at the Moose Lodge. He and Jack Low, another Charleston local, share the duty every Thursday. Around ISO people show up on a weekly basis. 66 1 STUDENT LIFE
BINGOCRAZE Students obsess over the traditional game Bingo every Thursday, every week of the year. That's how often members of the Eastern, and greater Charleston, community get to play their hands at a big win. That is if you happen to be over the age of 21. Around 150 people go to the Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge, or the Moose Lodge, for short, in downtown Charleston every Thursday to try their hand at a chance to win big. If you show up early you can purchase an early bird sheet for a dollar, and if you stay late you can play for a chance to win $500 in the black out bingo game where you cover your whole card. And with emotions high, since bingo is a form of gambling, the Moose Lodge workers try to keep a positive atmosphere for their participants. "Jack (Low) and Jim (Snyder) who are calling the bingo, they interact a lot with the crowd," Rick Price, manager of Charleston's Lodge said. "The crowd interacts back, and that interjects a lot of fun and positive emotion." That's how the weekly event seems to continually draw the community in. And according to Price, around half the participants at bingo every Thursday are either Eastern students or just over 2 L and appear to be Eastern students. For those that aren't over 21, there are always other ways to play. At every major event that the University Board puts on for students from opening weekend through to the end of the year, there is always a good chance that bingo will be played. "We set up bingo because the students really enjoy it," Darrius White, the University Board chair said. "How could you not when you're getting a 40-inch TV for free?" The prizes can be that spectacular, with past prizes ranging from iPods to video game systems (and TVs of course). Either way, pay or not, the tradition of loving bingo goes on as Eastern students find a way to play. STORY AND PHOTOS I ZACH WHITE The bingo board at the Moose Lodge keeps score of all numbers !hat have been called so far. Brian Seibert, a senior kinesiology and sports studies major, takes his chances at another round of bingo. He was hoping he or his girlfriend could win because it was her birthday. 67IBINGO
The Eastern ROTC Panther Battalion, led by Anson, prepares to perform a three-volley salute during the Friday, Nov. I, 2011, Veteran's Day celebration. This was Anson's ceremony for contracting with ROTC as well as a salute to the veterans. PHOTO I ZACHARY WHITE 68 1 STUDENT LIFE
After the fro tlines Vets struggle with life after military From the front lines to the front of the classroom, veterans come back to school on their own terms. They face problems that every new student is up against, as well as some that seem to be their own. "You go from strict daily schedules, to a situation where there's a lot of freedom," said Daniel Hart, a senior biology major. "We face problems with freetime management and a lack of structure, a loss of control, because of a lack of organization." In some ways, veterans look or act like any other incoming student. They're trying to fill up their free time by working to get their degrees as well as have a social life. The difference is many veterans come back to school with major financial obligations, such as spouses or children. "I came to Eastern because I was able to have my kids with me, and I didn't have to commute to get to class," said Ann Boehlefeld, a senior general studies major. Boehlefeld came back to school with her two daughters, 10-year-old Connie and 9-year-old Joslyn, after serving in the Navy. For some veterans, the plan was always to go back to school. ''The only reason I joined the army was to pay for college," said Beth Niemerg, a freshman biology major. Niemerg said Hart was right about the challenge of changing from a strict daily schedule to a schedule with a lot of free time. AJthough she admits that she knew it would be a challenge, she said she could have been more prepared to come back to school after years away. John Mefford, a senior political science major, is excited to be going back into the military once he finishes his degree. "I'm happy that I'm getting paid to go to school, but I'm really looking forward to going back in as an officer," Mefford said. STORY I ZACHARY WHITE Beth Niemerg, a freshman biology major, served in the U.S. Army to pay for school. She decided to come back without any of her transferrable credits previously earned because she wanted her time at Eastern to be a new stan. PHOTO I DANNY DAMIANI 69 1 VETERANS ON CAMPUS
70 I STUDENT LIFE
RENEWING EASTERN Energy Center (project of Eastern's history' Eastern is one of lhe state's smallest universities, but now showcases one of the nation's largest biomass renewable energy projects. Friday, Oct. 7, 2011, marked "a day of significance in lhe history of Eastern Illinois University," said President Bill Perry as lhe university held its grand opening of lhe $55 million Renewable Energy Center. Lines of students, staff and area residents filed all lhe way down and around lhe outside of lhe building waiting to tour the state-of-the-an facility, at 2100 18lh St. Project manager Chad Weber said the facility was built to replace the coal-burning plant on campus, which was built in 1928. Weber said lhc new facility is estimated to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent, saving the university a projected $140 million in energy costs for the next 20 years. The $79 million contract awarded to Honeywell Building Solutions guarantees lhat the facility's savings for lhe next 20 years will pay for its own costs and should not induce an increase in resident taxes or student fees. Touring the facility wilh Gary Reed, Eastern's director of facilities planning and management. he explained how lhis cutting-edge technology works. The center has a total of four boilers. Two boilers bum biomass, which comes from the burning of wood chips, and lhe other two boilers bum natural gas wilh a fuel oil backup. Reed said it is based on a gasification technology. He explained lhat the fuel is first heated to a high temperature in a low oxygen environment, which creates synthetic natural gas. After lhat, oxygen is added to the synthetic natural gas so it burns like natural gas. "This gasification technology creates a much cleaner burning process than coal burning," Reed said. The process of getting this technology up-and-running was quick and smooth. In 2008, Eastern hired Honeywell Building Solutions to build the facility. In November 2009, the university broke ground. In June 2011, the center staned heating and fueling campus wilh renewable energy. At t11e grand opening, Paul Orzeske, Honeywell Building Solutions President, said he has traveled far and wide and has not seen a campus facility quite like lhis. "It's the best example of a university investment of this type - one of the best renewable energy centers that 1 've seen," Orzeske said. "It sets an example nationally, and is something others will look to." As the day died down and lhe crowds dispersed, the facility managers and university staff stood with smiles, laughs, and joy to be a part of such a historic day. " I feel really proud to be part of a university that is this forward-thinking and has this kind of can-do attitude," Perry said. University officials said the Renewable Energy Center is the first known power plant to be registered with lhe United States Green Building Council's LEED program and is on track to receive certification at the Gold level - the second highest. " I wouldn't say this is the project of the decade," Reed said. " I would say this is the project of Eastern's history." STORY I RACHEL MORRJS Left I Lionel Sanders, consruction project coordinator, explains that the fuel storage building can hold up to I ,000 tons of b1omass fuel during a tour of the Renewable Energy Center Friday, Oct. 7,2011. Center 1 An audience gathers to watch the truck tipper operate during the grand opening of the Renewable Energy Center. The truck tipper moves the truck 10 a 63 degree angle, aUowing the 22 tons of biomass fuel to unload into the hopper. Right 1 Sanders answers questions about the Renewable Energy Center during a tour of the building at its grand opening. PHOTOS I DANNY DAMIANI 71 1 RENEWABLE ENERGY CENTER
Braunz Baker sophomore French major 72 1 STUDENT LIFE From the weekdays to the weekem/s each student has their ow11 style. Many chose to wear comfortable clothes to classes, a11d get fallcy for the weeke11ds. Here are two stude11ts who do just that. */bum to class because I'm lazy. I'd rather sleep in, than wake up early to get ready. Class is a time to be comfy. It drives me nuts when people get ready just to sit in class." EIU FASHION
"I prefer a mix of both comfy and stylish. But, if one takes precedence, I would prefer a more stylish outfit." ·-· Karleen Penninger senior elementary education major
MARTY'S PANTHER The history of the famous panther revealed 600-pound panther returns to 'coveted' den at Marty's By CHRYSTAL PHILPOTT City editor About 30 people cr~wded around to get that first glimpse tberstatuewas as the new pan t f -..larty's iled . {ron o 1u , ·unve m St Monday 1666 Fourth ·• morning. •· Sculptor Jilll Ho"~r, an Eastern psychol.ogy maJOrdanthd tood aroun e rugby player, 8 shakin edge of the group, · g ha ds and .a c cepttn_g n · for his congratulations d blackcreation, a 600-poun ed in 33 bronze panther secur inches of concreteth life-sized Hoker created e · statue worth about $20,000, m 20 different parts. which were welded together with the help f f ·onal welder. Hoker o a pro esst then fmished the beast by grinding down any rough edges. Hoker said when he signed the contracts in March for the j.ob he agreed to have it installed by Sept. 1. Work on the statue began around the first of June. "I wanted the job because it v.;as special to me. It is EIU. I see Marty's (and the panther) as a part of Eastern," Hoker said an hour before the un- veiling, admitting be was both nervous and excited about the occasion. "He's (Boker) done a lot of work for a lot of important peopl e," said Hoker's girlfriend, Claudia Weinberg, an Eastern business major. "He's done work for the governor. He's done a lot of charity work. He's sold work all over the world. But he was so nervous about today. "I told him 'don't be nervous.' But he said 'This is my school.' I think he was nervous about putting something on display in front of his school. These are his peers," she said. Hoker said he was proud to sculpt what many, including himself, considered one of the landmarks of Eastern. 'The panther is a symbol of Eastern. It can. never be overplayed. I put too much sweat and blood into it. Too many sleepless nights and putting Claudia on hold," Hoker said, adding, "'t's nice to be able to come back and see it "It's (sculpting, art) in the whenever you want." family. My dad does this stuff. "It's something to really be I got started and my stuff was proud of. You can bring your selling. Pretty soon I was going grand-kids back here," Dale to the east coast and then to Holt, part owner of Marty's, the west coast. fve gone all told Hoker at the end of the over the United States with it," unveiling. he said. "This panther was very Although the obvious choice important to him," Weinberg might have been to major in said. "It was almost like he was art, Hoker said he doesn't obsessed with it. Sometimes he regret majoring in psychology. would get this faraway look in "Now, looking back at it, I his eyes, and I knew he was don't wish I had majored in art. thinking about the panther." It would have been nice to have The 25-year-old Hoker, a been an art major. But if I bad, sculptor since age 10, has had I would have missed a lot of pieces sold in Germany, Japan, other skills fve learned. You Poland, Canada, Mexico, Great have to develop good reasoning Britain and France, among and management skills," he other countries. said. In a story by The Doily Eosrern News on Sept. I, 1987, the panther makes its return after an accident where the previous panther was hit and ruined. A former student. Jim Hoker, created the statue out of bronze. PHOTO COURTESY I THE DAILY EASTERN NEWS 74 I STUDENT LIFE
OREEN I Stalf pholographer The black panther located 111 front of Marty's, 1666 Fourth St., which has become somewhat of a laru::lmark at Eastern, was damaged In an automobile accident early Wednesday morning. Driver charged with DUI Marty's cat smashed under truck's tracks By LARRY SMITH and LORI EDWARDS Staffwrtters The Marty's panther statue, a mainstay of 'Eastern tradition for 12 years, was injured Wednesday in an early morning accident. The statue, located in front of the popular bar and grill at 1666 Fourth St., was. hit by a large blazer truck at I :35 a.m. . Wednesday, police said. Charles L. McGhee, 33, of Kell, Ill., was charged with two counts of driving under the influence of alcohol in addition with failure to give Information after striking an unattended property, police said. CharlestOI\ Police reports said McGhee was driving southbound on Fourth Street and turned west onto Grant Avenue. McGhee cut his turn too close, the report said, and his vehicle jumped the curb and proceeded west pu Grant Avenue. . The report said McGhee said he knCw he struck something but wasn' t sure what it was. McGhee didn't return to the scene of the accident because he 'didn't think anything was damaged, the report added. Eric Tanner, a passenger in the truck, confirmed the story (See MARTY'S, page 8) DAN REJBL.EIPhofD editor ' Workers set the new panther, created by East em student Jim Hoker, in place outside Marty's Sunday morning. The bronze statue replabes the concrete ornament destroyed In November of 1985 by a Blazer. Marty's replaces panther statue By CHRYSTAL PHILPOTT City editor Sunday marked the return of the panther- not the pink one but a Fourth Street landmark. The Marty's panther, an Eastern landmark for 12 years which was destroyed in an accident in November 1985, was replaced Sunday with a new statue. The new panther, created by Eastern student Jim Hoker, is a black bronze statue similar to the original. jured in November 1985 when a large "We're really excited about it," said blazer truck, cutting a comer too close Dave Kinnaird, owner of Marty's, 1666 and jumping the curb, ran over the Fourth St. "Hopefully it (the panther) animal. . will oo·apartofCiia.rleStOn'shistory for The conerete statue was taken down years to come. We're really excited until a replacement could be obtained. about it." , The original statue was put up in "Jim's a very talented young man and ·1973 and had been painted on several he's done a really nice job making this different occasions, including green for panther. He's really done a fme job." St. Patrick's Day and pink for The original statue, which like the Homecoming, by unknown residents or new one sat in front of the bar, was in- students. Above 1 Workers place the new panther into its place in front of Marty's in an article on Aug. 31, 1987. Dave Kinnard, Marrty's owner, said the panther is used now as an icon of Eastern and a point of reference when giving directions. Left 1 The driver who hit the panther was charged with a DUI, according to an article in The Daily Eosrern News on Nov. 21, 1985. It took a year and nine mother to replace the beloved panther. PHOTO COURTESY I THE DAILY EASTERN NEWS 751 MARTY'S PANTHER
76 1 STUDENT LIFE
Red for awareness Participants, audience support fundraiser with fashion, talent show The Red Show was just that, a show of red. Campus groups and audience members supported the AIDS cause by donating money and supporting the show. Not only were all participants in the show wearing red, most of the audience showed up in red to show support for the AIDS cause. The ballroom was filled with red balloons, ribbons, and lights that created a festive atmosphere. The Red Show had different performances by several oncampus groups, organizations, clubs, and Greeks. On Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011, World AIDS Day, Eastern held its fourth annual fund raiser of The Red Show. The event helps raise money for HI V and AIDS awareness and prevention. HIV and AIDS are growing problems not only in the United States but, globally. The majority of the performances were on-campus groups' including, E.N.T. Models, African Student Association and Glam modeling, performing a fashion show. All models made their own clothes for the event. They were all wearing some form of red and many of the models wore clothes sporting an HIV/AIDS prevention statement such as, "get tested", "silence is deadly", and "stop aids." African Student Association model Kayla Garner, a sophomore family and consumer sciences major, participated in the event. "This is a wonderful event and I'm really enjoying myself. The Red Show brings great awareness of HIV and AIDS to the campus," she said. Other performances included a salsa inspired dance put on by the Latin American Student Organization, a step show put on by Zeta Phi Beta, and poetry readings. The Glam Models performed a skit before their fashion show that took place in an emergency room. The models were dressed up as doctors, people with HIV, and the family and friends of the those affected. It portrayed doctors attempting 10 save the lives of people with the disease and reactions after receiving results of an HIV test. The skit showed the seriousness and the affect that the disease could have on a person's life. Nana Gyasi, a model and a sophomore family and consumer sciences major, also participated in the event. "The Red Show is a great idea because it brings awareness to the seriousness of the disease to our campus. I was happy to participate and I think the event should continue." STORY I MELANIE THOMPSON Members of !he lela Phi Beta sorority perfonn during !he founh annual Red Show Thursday, Dec. I, 20 II, in !he Grand Ballroom of !he Martin Lulher King Jr. University Union. PHOTO I KIMBERLY FOSTER 77 1 RED SHOW
- - WINDOWS WINDOWS I en en :I: 0::: lU 0::: lU D ~ ~ lU ~ lU ::; en en en lU :::l en ~ I I en lU 0 ~ lU w I 0::: (Q 0::: '!? 0 ~ a ~ I I :J: D ~ f:2 C/} w :::l 0 I ~ ~ I w co ~ z :::l CD I I I I I I I I I -----------· ----------· -------- --- ---------- •cLOSET •cLOSET *CLOSET •cLOSET I I - - - - ' I' PHOTO COURTESY I HOUSING & DINING 781 STUDENT LIFE
DELUXEDOUBLES Eastern changes up residence halls For the first time in 10 years, Housing and Dining offers deluxe doubles as a room option on the ninth floor of Andrews Hall and the fourth floor in Thomas Hall. The rooms come at an additional cost of $450 per person per semester. "The extra cost doesn't seem to influence residents from choosing this room type." said Kristie Eustice, Andrews Hall resident director. "I would say if you are willing to pay for this, go for it," said Emily lmig, a sophomore elementary education major. "It's a cool experience and not very many people get to go through with it" The residents said they appreciate the option of having a bigger room with a separate living area, allowing more space and giving different room arrangements, Eustice said. According to the Housing and Dining website, the new room style allows students to bring more of their own furniture and is intended to give students a different living arrangement. The idea is for students to use one room as a living room and the other room as a sleeping area. "That way someone can sleep in one room while someone else studies or watches TV," said Erin McElroy, a junior psychology major. "You also have extra space for other furniture if you want. My roommate and I have a futon in one room of our deluxe double." The deluxe doubles are two regular rooms connected by a door on the adjoining wall. Amanda Kramer, a senior history major, and her roommate, Melissa Boydston, a senior journalism major, relax in thetr deluxe double suite on the ninth floor of Andrews Hall. PHOTO I SIIEA LAZANSKY Each room measures 22 feet by 14 feet, 10 inches. They include two beds, two dressers, two desks and four closets. No construction was needed due to modification that were made 10 years ago when the option was first implemented. Deluxe doubles were offered in 2000, and they lasted a few years but were taken back to the normal dorm style when popularity of the style went down. "The deluxe doubles are a more effective use of space and that the feedback from students has been positive," said Mark Hudson, director of Housing and Dining Services. "It makes living with another person easier by allowing personal space," lmig said. STORY I MONAE THOMPSON & BRANDYCE GORDON 791 CAMPUS IMPROVEMENTS
"Every woman has a story." Eastern students and facu hy watch a clip from the film" ! Had an Abortion," during the presentation "Good Women I lave Abonions," Monday, Jan. 23, 2012, in Lhe Women's Resource Center. The presentation was put in honor of Lhe Roe v. Wade anniversary. PHOTO I SETH SCHROEDER 80 I STUDENT LIFE -Jeannie Ludlow, women's studies director
Assistant professor of sociology Gene Deennan (right) sits with students as they listen to the presentation. PHOTO )SETH SCHROEDER Senior psychology major Rebecca Rowe listens as Ludlow answers student questions about abortion and the prochoice movement. PHOTO )SETH SCHROEDER HOTTOPIC "Good Women Have Abortions" brings new insight, fresh ideas More than 30 students gathered in The Women's Resource Center on Monday, Jan. 23, 2012, to hear an individual aspect on the topic of abortion through personal stories and research. Before beginning the discussion and presentation, the Women's Empowerment League showed a clip from the film, "I Had an Abortion," a film that featured women's personal stories about their experiences with abortion. After the film, Jeannie Ludlow, director of women's studies, presented her research on the topic to a crowd made mainly of female college students. Ludlow, who worked at an abortion clinic in Ohio for several years, said she has seen it all when it comes to the abortion process. "Every woman has a story," she said. Ludlow explained to the group that abortion is too often looked at on a large-scale basis. She said abortion is more of an individual issue not a big picture idea, and that is how it should viewed. "It's ultimately about trying to reclaim the idea of goodness," Ludlow said. By the end of 2011, 135 new provisions were enacted in 36 states. Of these, more than half restrict access to abortion services she said. "Women's access to abortion across the country is steadily being eroded," she said. Although abortion has become more accepted in society, it is still not discussed to the individual degree it should be Ludlow said. It's still on the larger scale. "Abortion doesn't happen because life is easy, it happens because life is complicated," she said. Ludlow stressed that women have to make decisions based on their own lives and the people they love around them, which further makes it a personal decision and not a government one. "It's up to us to be supportive, regardless of whether you're prochoice or pro-life," she said. STORY I ROBYN DEXTER 81 ) HOT TOPIC
82 1 STUDENT LIFE 1 JUST CHARGE IT' Accounts prove confusing, helpful to students A student's account can cause problems and create confusion, but it can also be a huge help. Some students like knowing there is always a backup plan for when they need to pay for something but don't have the money. Students can charge university costs, from parking tickets to health service needs. onto their student accounts. "Students cannot just charge anything to their account," said Linda Coffey, the bursar of the student accounts department. "We would not allow students to charge a crazy amount." "The craziest amount that a student has been billed was $600 from parking Lickets." There are different methods for charging things to a student account. For example, for students to increase their dining dollars the student must sign a contract. Then Housing and Dining documents how much was charged. For students to charge other expenses to their account, the charges must be approved by the accounting department to make sure that what is being charged will be paid off by the students. Charging to a student's account gives a sense of relief that the student doesn't have to pay for anything right at that moment, but every student has to pay off the student account charges at the end of each semester. ''Charging things to my student account helps me at that moment because I need something to be paid for," said Toyin Adesanya, a sophomore biology major. If students do not pay off the charges in their account, they will have to pay a 1 percent financial charge per month. If they still do not pay, then their account will be put on hold for the following semester. "Students can add a maximum of $500 to use as dining dollars, but students have not charged that much before," said Lindsay Partlow, of Housing and Dining. When it is time to pay for charges on a student's account, students can pay through credit card, debit card, check and money order. STORY I JSALY FERGUSON
Where can I charge to my student account? Grant Avenue •• • -- .- - Uncoln Avenue jllncls ~ 161 -Bo .... . Terrace Lane ·- lA__, Hall ... ... I MAP COURTESY I HTIP:/IEIU.EDU X ... Edgar Orill8 To .-.c. Fbr.e 130
COLLEGE FOR 1 00 Eastern student take third on ((Jeopardy!" "Jeopardy!" has been an American game show for many years and has been on TV in many different forms. One of the most popular versions of "Jeopardy!," besides the original, is the college championship. Anne Rozek, a junior geography major, was one of 15 students chosen to compete in the nation, and the first student to ever be chosen from Eastem. Over winter break, Rozek and her father, Daniel, flew out to California for a few days to record her episodes. "I watch the show all the time, and they have ads during the commercial breaks on the show, telling you to take the online exams, sign up today," she said. Rozek was encouraged to apply by a family friend who had actually competed on "Jeopardy!" for five days and had been the tournament champion. She took the online test over spring break in 2010. The online test is 50 questions, where a contestant has IS seconds to answer a question, Rozek said. "When the question first pops up, either you know it right away or you don't know it at all," Rozek said. Preparing for "Jeopardy!" came easily for the Eastern student, who had been on her high school scholastic bowl team for four years. Also, watching the show helped her prepare. "I kind of expected what ques841 STUDENT LirE lions would be asked," Rozek said. "I quizzed myself with sporcle.com. They have quizzes where you have to unscramble leners and before/after questions. So between that, Trivial Pursuit and watching the show, that was basically my preparation." Rozek found out the results of her test in May 2010 and she was selected out of 12,000 students for a callback in Kansas City, Mo. "We give another 50-question test with a mobile computer system that works like our game board so that the students can see what it would be Uke to play the game Live and for real," said Maggie Speak, "Jeopardy!" contestant coordinator. In December of last year, Rozek received a call asking her to compete in the college championship. Over winter break, she flew out to Los Angeles and headed to Culver City, Calif., to film her appearance on the show. Being from one of the smaller competing schools Rozek wanted to prove that the "underdog" could compete with the Ivy League schools. "Even though I'm not an Ivy (League) student, it doesn't mean that I can't be competitive with them," Rozek said. Competing on stage was drastically different from the preliminary rounds, she said. "The buzzers and timing make all the difference," Rozek said. "The question pops up on the big board. Jacob Deters, a junior music education major, winces as he watches the episode of "Jeopardy!" starring Anne Rozek, a junior geography major, during a viewing 10 the Andrews Hall bdsement Thursday Feb. 2, 2012. PHOTO I DANNY DAMIANI You're reading the question. You're listening to Alex (Trebek) read the question and once he's finished, two sets of lights on the sides of the board light up that say you can buzz in." Daniel, Rozek's father, said he was proud and "amazingly nervous" watching his daughter compete. "I couldn't believe how calm and composed she looked, despite being onstage with lights in her face, cameras moving around the set and Alex Trebek firing questions at her," he said. "I was a basket case just sitting in the audience watching her." As the first student from Eastern to compete on "Jeopardy!," Rozek said she was pleased with her performance. "I would have liked to have done better, just to say 'Look, there are smart people here [at Eastern), and we can do really well,"' she said. "I wanted to prove that this wasn't a fluke, that I do have a reason to be here. They didn't just select me because I'm from a school that hadn't ever competed before." Daniel said Rozek got to experience being on TV and meeting other people from other schools that she never would have met if it weren't for being on the show. "She had the opportunity to meet some really bright people from different schools she otherwise wouldn't have ever known," he said. "She learned how to cope with the intense pressure of an unusual situation - being on TV." STORY I SHEA LAZANSKY
Anne Rozek, a junior geography major, reacts as she warches herself answer a question during the firsr airing or the "Jeopardy!" episode she was in during a viewing pany in the Andrews Hall basemen! Thursday Feb. 2, 2012. "Everyone has been so supponive. Rozek said il's really greal tharrhey came our and were cheering and forgave my nor so great buzzer skills and brain fans. PHOTO I DANNY DAMIANI 85 1 JEOPARDY
86 1 ACADEMICS
academics. Every student comes to Eastern for the same basic reason - to leave with a diploma in hand. Each decision to go to class, find your a major, or study for that grade-altering final weighs heavily on the individual student's story. It's impossible to define the individual academic journey of each student at Eastern. To define academics would be to try and define every major, every research paper, and every rain-soaked walk to Coleman Hall. From the start of the academic process, with a student's first class as a freshman, to his or her final graduation photos in front of the Marty's panther, a story is created. Although academics can not be defined, the stories that students make during their time create a portrait of Eastern. This portrait shows Eastern as a combination of stories framed by academics with each one defined by the others but individually undefined. 871 ACADEMICS
(!I A double-blind study is a study in which neither of the participants nor the experimenters know who is receiving the rreatment or who is in the control group. This study is used to avoid bias. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION I ZACHARY WHITE 88 1 ACADEMICS
DOUBLED UP Psychology students experience research methods hands on For many majors, research may not be the most exciting topic, but for psychology majors it can become a real life experience. Research Methods are brought to life with student created experiments. "We learn a lot about research and psychology, how it works, the importance of it, and how difficult it is," said Ann Wolters, a senior psychology major. In class, students are put into groups and they create a topic of research that interests them and they build a study around it. "There is a range of studies," said Jeff Stowell, a psychology professor. "TI1ere are studies on things like reality television and communication patterns." Stowell said studies go on throughout the semester, which is imponant for students in Introduction to Psychology who get graded for participation in lhe studies. According to the psychology depanment website, Introduction to Psychology students are required to participate in four hours of research or they must complete four library assignments. "We are having issues because no men are signing up," said Jim Orseno, a senior psychology major. He said that teachers say men usually sign up later in the semester for the studies. According to Stowell, the students in Research Methods classes design studies !hat are touch sensory experiments, as well as question and answer experiments. Orseno and Wolters' study asks students questions on handling stress based on certain scenarios. "We want to know how students cope with stress and whelher they avoid it or face it head on," Wolters said. According to Orseno, the group came up with scenarios from !heir real lives. "We used each other as examples, because some stressful situations are social along with academic stress," Orseno said. This is a semester-long process and the results of lhe studies are posted in the Physical Science building at the end of the semester. "Whether you are going into research or clinical work this really helps you," Orseno said. STORY I BETH STEELE "We learn a lot about research and psychology, how it works, the importance of it, and how difficult it is." Ann Wolters, a senior psychology major 891 EXPERIMENTS
SURROUNDED BY GREEN Built in 1962, Eastern's greenhouse is home of research projects He is Eastern's greenhouse manager. He is the biology preparation room manager and a webmaster. He is Steven Male hom. Malehorn is in charge of the H.F. Thut Greenhouse on campus. The Thut Greenhouse was built in 1962, and serves as a botanical conservatory and as a facility for growing plants that are used for research and classroom use. "People can visit whenever they wam to just by contacting an individual listed on the greenhouse home page for access and tours," Malehorn said. Malehom attended Eastern and received a bachelor's degree and a master's degree. He started working at Eastern in August 1998. "I worked in the greenhouse as a graduate student and enjoyed it," he said. "When the position of greenhouse manager opened, I jumped in." Malehorn said 850 different plant species live in the greenhouse and adjacent outdoor gardens. "I enjoy the warm, humid environment and green plants in the winter when there's snow on the ground," he said. Plants in the greenhouse receive special care for each season. In the winter, the plants do not grow much and require only occasional watering and pest control, Malehorn said. In the spring, the plants begin to grow more and require fertilization, some watering, re-potting and pest control. Then in the summer, the plants need lots of watering and pest control. "The Secret Garden is a collection of nearly 500 species and cultivar specimens growing in a diverse series of garden settings," Malehorn said. "These gardens range from full-sun to full-shade environments containing native and cultivated plants, perennials and annuals, flowering and foliage plants as well as trees and shrubs." STORY IISALY FERGUSON Steven Malehom, greenhouse manager. stands outside the H.F. Thut Greenhouse Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011, near what is referred to as "The Secret Garden," which Malehom calls a hidden gem many Eastern students unwillingly stumble upon. The greenhouse houses many plants, such as the Venus Fly Trap, shown here reacting to an oral stimulus provided by Malehom. PHOTO I KIMBERLY FOSTER The Mimosa pudica, known in laymen's terms as the Sensitive Plant, has leaves which fold in on themselves at the slightest touch, according to Malehorn. PHOTO I KIMBERLY FOSTER PHOTO I KIMBERLY FOSTER 90 I ACADEMICS
) Steven Malehom works as the greenhouse manager in the H. F. Thut Greenhouse. The greenhouse has over 850 different plant species in the greenhouse and adjacent outdoor gardens with each plant requiring special care. PHOTO ~ERLYFO TER 91 1 GREENHOUSE
2011SENIORS About 1,500 students graduated from Eastern in May College students around the world have different goals when coming to college. Some come to make friends, some come for the experience and some come because they did not have any other choice. In the end, they are all working towards leaving their institution equipped with all of the necessary tools to survive in the real world. On Saturday, May 7, 2011, the class of 2011 attained this goal. About 1,500 students gathered in Lantz Arena for the last time. Graduating students showed expressions of sadness, happiness and, some, just plain relief. "I had never been so excited in my life," Brittany Davidson, a graduating communications major, said. "A lot of my friends were terrified and sad about leaving but I was excited to start the next chapter in my life." Eastern graduates will impact the world with what they learned. "The degree doesn't give you a job, it gives you the skill set to be creative, professional, and ambitious," said Kamesha Gordon, a graduating communication studies major. Eastern has been graduating students for 115 years, sending generations of alumni into the world. These graduates are not the first and most certainty will not be the last. "My entire college career, I lived by one saying," Megan McGee, a graduating communication studies major, said. "What's the difference between school and life? In school you're taught a lesson and then given a test. In life you're given a test that teaches you a lesson." "I'm not nervous about it and I know something will come my way," Davison said. "Eastern did a great job of preparing me for my future career and endeavors." STORYIMEGAN JOHNSON Eastern President Bill Perry makes Student Body President Mi- Studen!S walk and prepare 10 cross and get !heir diploma during !he College of Arts and Humanities comchelle Murphy laugh while he shakes her hand at Lhe commence- mencement. men! program Saturday, May 7, 2011, in Lantz Arena. President PHOTO I OLIVIA ANGELOFF Perry and Murphy both gave a speech during !he commencement PHOTO I OLIVIA ANGELOFF 921 ACADEMICS
941 ACADEMICS P ... TF? Electronic Writing Portfolio broken down step-by-step Graduation is not guaranteed by just passing classes. Students have to complete an Electronic Writing Portfolio to walk away from campus with a diploma. The EWP requires each student to electronicaJiy submit three papers to be read by professors and used to evaluate Eastern's writing skills as a whole. "It's not individual but institution wide," said Melinda Mueller, professor of poHtical science. Papers used to satisfy the EWP requirement must be turned in as an assignment for a writingintensive course. After the student deems the paper qualified, he or she has to go online to the EWP website, accessed through Eastern's homepage, and the papers are sent to the professor of the class they were originally written. The professor then rates the papers on a oneto-four scale, with four being the best. The content, organization, style and mechanics are all rated. The scores are averaged with aJI three papers and kept in the students EWP records. Each year, trained faculty reads about 10 percent, the appropriate amount to get a good overview, of the portfolios completed in that year. They use those to create assessments of the writing levels at the university. The faculty who read the papers have focus groups to help make the assessments of the writing. Once completed, the results are given to faculty to look over. This assessment makes Eastern credible to accrediting bodies as well as students, potential students, parents of students and others, The EWP is the not the first assessment Eastern has had in place for writing. Before the EWP, students had to pay $20 to take a writing composition exam. It was a four-to-five hour writing exam on a Saturday afternoon, where students had to write two essays and complete a grammar portion. According to Karla Sanders, director for the center for Academic Support and Achievement, the faculty did not see this as fit to judge student writing and changed it to EWP in 2000. The EWP helps Eastern keep its writing standard up, and it is more applicable to life after college since the writing that student would be doing in class is closer to the writing that they would be doing after graduation, she said. The EWP is mandatory for graduation and should be an easy thing to accomplish, Sanders said. The work students are turning in is work they've already done for classes, she added. Sanders suggests students submit early so they do not run out of time because students can only submit from a current semester class. Robert Sonandres, a junior history major, has no plan on how he is going to submit. "I don't really see the point. l think it is more for Eastern than the student,'' he said. Will Beltran, a freshman political science major, didn't know what EWP was or how to complete it for graduation. Once Beltran was informed, he said it seemed like a lot of work and that Eastern was adding onto his plate. "The EWP is better than the writing competency exam; hands down better," said Sanders, an Eastern alum who had to take the exam. Another student. Jill Monroe, a freshman English major, said the EWP isn't that big of a deal for students. "It adds a small burden, bur in theory it is a good idea," she said. STORY I BRANDYCE GORDON
If you have problems please call the Help Desk at 217-581-HELP (4357}. INFOGRAPHIC BY COLLEEN HARRIGAN 951 EWP
Q&A WITH ... the vice presidents William Weber vice president for Business Affairs William Weber bas been at EoBem for 2A yan. He started ia ... Ia die -- ks ............... ia 1MB belpt!lll two Jean • die MIOC.tllle dean ill lbe Caleae of Sdenc& Aftlr tbar. Weber IIMMd to .......... vice pralcleal,.. Aaldelllk Affain.lle-lpflda,ar..tabalf•• taim 'lllli'Yaalty budaet c1rec.w _. tbm came Into tbk job Ia .a Q:Wbat.,....,......,.? A: I do the administmdYe financial and operation aspect of the ualwnlly. 'lbele 1ft! seven departmerD 1bal repottdirec:dy to me. Thmln and business servbs-'lbey are in charge of buying lbiDgs. payiDg vendors, esrablishing OODb'acfS, etc. Planning budget and institutional research - They set up budgets. planning effons, institutional characteristics to variom agencies, etc. Human~ That's the area tbat handles essential employee matters, so making sure employees are getting paid. helping them with their benefits and some of the aspeelS of hiring new employees. Information technology services- They are the group that bandies the b!Chnology info structure on campus, the ones that make sure that we have lntemet, email and programming. Facilities planning and management - That's the group that makes sure the~ are in shape and the buil~ are getting taken care of, remodeling and utilities. Environmental health and safety -That group is responsible for making sure we have plans in place to handle emergency situations. They do everything from making sure the fire exlinguisher is worldng all the way to making sure that we have annual exercises in making sure we know bow to handle emergency situations. RI!C:onls management- There are many state rules in terms of how to manage records, how to dispose of records and when, how long you have to hold on to them Q: What is your day-to-day job like? A: I don't know if there is such a thing as an average day. But cenainly a lot of my job has to deal with communication and making sure that various groups are infunned about changes that are in process or developments that are needed. I network a lot with the various government groups that are on campus. I meet regularly with faculty Senate, staff senate, dvil service coun- dl, president's council, coundl on university planning and budget. It's definitely a full job but I am really pleased with what I bave been able to accomplish. What took up much of my time for 2011 was Eastern's stratEgic planning process. Daniel Nadler vice president for Student Affairs Daniel Nadler, vice president for Student Affairs, was the associate vice president for Student Affairs at Thlane University before coming to Eastern. He was at Thlane for 12 years and joined Eastern in 2005. His three degrees are from Southern Illinois- Carbondale. Q: What are some of the differences between working in New Orleans and working in Charleston? A: Well, the towns, the cities, are vastly different in size and culture. New Orleans and the surrounding areas are about 1 million people. In Charleston, we're in a city where about half of the residents are students, and the rest are permanent residents. Q: What drew you to Eastern, as opposed to any other school in the country? A: Well, there were several reasons. The position was, and continues to be, a broad-based position involving many of the traditional areas of student affairs, along with some unique aspects of higher education. I'm originally from Chicago, so this gives me the opportunity to be within driving range of family and friends, which was an important element. I was just pleasantly amazed when I began doing research about Eastem and finding out about the high retention rates, high graduation rates, the student to faculty ratio, how satisfied students were with the education they received. Coming to the institution, for me, it felt very much like a private school. I was working at a high level private institution, at the time, a top 30 school in the country. So I came to Eastern, I felt a lot of the same feelings I felt: the caring, helping attitude of the faculty and staff, the dose relationships, the integration of the educational experience. Q: Can you explain your job? A: Most of what I do entails the out of classroom experiences that students have. Those are aligned in such a way that they really help complement the academic experience that students receive. About half of my job is really working with the president, the other senior officers of the university. The other half of my job is leading the different components of Student Affairs. Q: What are some of the benefits of your position? A: The perks are really watching students learn, grow and develop. You see it happen in different ways for students; some are rapid, some take time. I have a great opportunity to see students when they come in, and then throughout their education experience, and equally, and perhaps most importantly as they cross the stage at commencement. And that's what it's aJI about. It's remarkable sometimes, the amount of growth and development you see in students. But it's a bittersweet moment as well. You want to see students go on and do different things, but also at the same time, there are many times when it's hard to see them go. It's a happy occasion, but it's sad as well. Q: How much input does your position allow you to have in the way student life functions on a day-to-day basis? A: It's a phenomenal amount of influence and participation. The fact that there is a president and four vice presidents, I feel important to be one of them, knowing that I am not the student speaking, but I carry the student voice. Not to say that others don't, but certainly, with the kind of responsibility I have, I feel a great sense of responsibility sitting around the table, making sure the student is heard.